New Hybrid or Used Hell-Raiser?: The 2005-2010 BMW M5

The 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the safest automotive choices you can make. Its styling will offend no one, yet the Camry Hybrid badge still carries plenty of street cred on the cul-de-sac. The drivetrain is reliable and efficient. And it’s got just enough pep to make most drivers think “it’s sporty”. But for the same money, you could get a V10-powered supersedan that can turn your morning commute into an adrenaline-charged video game. It might measure fuel economy in feet-per-gallon, but it’s worth every penny. If you’re still young enough to poop without pills, then you owe it to yourself to checkout the E60 BMW M5.

The E60 BMW M5 was launched in 2005, and it quickly became the most controversial M5 ever made. It wore the oddly proportioned design language of Chris Bangle, and it was powered by an F1-derived V10 engine. This insane powerplant cranked out 507hp, and the 8250 rpm redline allowed the 2005-2010 BMW M5 to make a exhaust howl that could excite even the most constipated Prius driver.

But it’s not all kittens and sunshine. The E60 M5 came with the unfathomable iDrive system, along with a bunch of wait-for-it-to-break novelties like active seat bolsters (they squeeze you to the seat, depending on your direction of travel), an adjustable suspension, a crazy-complex differential, a coarse 7-speed SMG automated manual, launch control, and a color head-up display. The engine power could even be adjusted in the iDrive system, limiting the power to just 400-hp for daily driving, or you could have the full 507hp, with lightning-fast response from the engine and gearbox.

Of course, all of this garnish will eventually break, and that’s going to cost you many thousands of dollars. However, the E60 BMW M5 is still new enough to qualify for an extended warranty, which can save you thousands in repairs. These extended service plans can be purchased from a reputable underwriter for $4k-$8k (depending on the mileage), and they’ll cover things like the inevitable $4k transmission repair (a more reliable 6-speed manual is also available), or that $900 turn signal stalk.

If you’re not ready to surrender to a hybrid, then the E60 BMW M5 could be a worthy option. A low-mile 2005-2010 BMW M5 will cost you around $30k-$35k, which is in line with the price of a nicely trimmed 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. This V10 super sedan can’t deliver 35 miles to the gallon, but it can give you many smiles per mile. Plus, with 507-hp on tap, you’ll never need those fiber pills again.